Production management system and associated warning process

• US 20050228708A1
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus France
• Inventors: Catala, Jean-Louis, Lainez, Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 7,925,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41865 characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31038 Watchdog, timer to alert if operator does not executes operation within time
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

This system is aimed at a production unit for which a schedule of tasks to be accomplished is prepared and stored in a central management device (36). It includes individual electronic devices (12), control stations (22, 24) and a network (10) linking these individual devices (12) and control stations (22, 24) to the central management device (36). Each individual electronic device (12) includes means to input the tasks performed and the problems encountered and the transmission means for information input. The central management device (36) includes means of comparison between data received and the task schedule, means to generate a warning when the comparison means have detected a gap or discrepancy between data received and the schedule of tasks and the transmission means of the warning to the individual electronic devices (12, 14) and control stations (22, 24). The individual electronic devices (12) and the control stations (22, 24) include means to display the warning signals.

Claims

1. Production management system for a production unit for which a schedule of tasks (EQ) to be accomplished is set up and stored in memory in a central management device (36),

comprising individual electronic devices (12) each associated with an operator (6), control stations (22, 24) comprising inputting and display means and a network (10) linking these individual electronic devices (12) and control stations (22, 24) to a central management device (36),

in which each individual electronic device (12) includes on the one hand means for inputting tasks performed and problems that may be encountered during the implementation of these tasks by the operator (6) and on the other hand, transmission means for data input to the central management device (36) and

in which the central management device (36) includes means for comparing between information received from the various individual electronic devices (12) and the schedule of tasks (EQ) to be accomplished stored in memory;

characterized by the fact that the central management device (36) also includes means to generate a warning when the comparison means have detected a gap between the information received and the schedule of tasks (EQ) to be accomplished that exceed a predetermined and memorized threshold, as well as the transmission means of such a warning towards the individual electronic devices (12, 14) and the control stations (22, 24), and

by the fact that at least a part of the individual electronic devices (12) and control stations (22, 24) include display means (12, 22) permitting the display of warning signals involving not only the operator (6) associated with the individual electronic device or the control station but also other operators and other control stations.

2. Warning system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the individual electronic devices (12) are wireless portable devices of the portable computer type.

3. Warning system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the central management device (36) includes inputting means permitting modification of the memorized schedule of tasks (EQ).

4. Warning system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that it also includes at least one screen (16) associated with display means and linked to the network.

5. Warning system according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the display means comprise scrolling devices of an image illustrating the schedule of tasks.

6. Warning system according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that the display means are two-dimensional, and by the fact that for one of the two dimensions, the scale used varies.

7. Warning system according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the variable scale is optimal in the center of the screen (16) and decreases towards the edges of the screen (16).

8. Warning system according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by the fact that the display means permit the display of a cursor and are associated with a control device for moving this cursor, such as, for instance, a computer mouse.

9. Warning system according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that it also includes additional information display means when the cursor is positioned on an area of the screen.

10. Warning generation process during the execution by operators (6) of tasks planned on a schedule of tasks (EQ) characterized by the fact that it includes the following stages:

preparation and memorizing in a central management device (36) of the schedule of tasks (EQ),

transmittal through a network (10 to each operator (8) of the tasks that he must accomplish;

input by each operator (6) of the tasks that he accomplishes and of possible problems encountered,

transmittal through a network (10) of data input by each operator to the central management device (36),

comparison of data received with the schedule of tasks (EQ) memorized and detection of problems that may hamper the proper execution of the tasks;

generation of a warning when a problem is detected;

transmittal throughout the network (10) of the generated warning.

11. Process according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that all of the warnings generated are displayed on a large-sized screen (16) near several work stations.

12. Process according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the tasks to be accomplished by all operators (6) are displayed on the screen (16).

13. Process according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized by the fact that screen (16) displays a diagram for which one axis represents the time axis or line, and by the fact that a cursor (56) is moving on the time axis or line to position itself automatically on the present date and time.

14. Process according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that the cursor (56) remains considerably immobile and considerably centered on screen (16) and by the fact that the axis of times adjusts itself to the position of cursor (56).

15. Process according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized by the fact that the scale on the time axis or line is variable.

16. Process according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized by the fact that warnings present themselves in the form of visual signals appearing on the display means (12, 16, 22).

17. Process according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that several tasks are grouped in a family of tasks, and by the fact that each family of tasks is displayed on the screen (16);

with the tasks of a family of tasks displayed no longer being displayed individually.

18. Process according to one of claims 12 or 17, characterized by the fact that the tasks or family of tasks for various schedules of tasks are displayed simultaneously on one and the same screen (16).

19. Process according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that general information concerning the tasks displayed are grouped in a banner (58) displayed on the same screen (16).

20. Process according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that indicators (60, 62) about the progress of the tasks are calculated and displayed on the banner (58).

21. Process according to one of claims 10 to 20, characterized by the fact that the memorized and input data are analyzed and processed by a spreadsheet, then issued or output in the form of graphics.